Patriots still waiting out Ridley, WR market
The Patriots are seemingly in limbo as they continue to seek a veteran wide receiver addition thanks to the terms of impending Jaguars free agent Calvin Ridley’s previous trade from the Falcons.
If Ridley re-signs with the Jaguars before Wednesday at 4 p.m. ET, then Jacksonville will owe the Falcons a second-round pick. If he re-signs with the Jaguars after Wednesday at 4 p.m., then Jacksonville will only owe the Falcons a thirdround pick.
The Patriots have an offer on the table to Ridley, per a source. But Ridley reportedly is also weighing an offer from the Jaguars. ESPN’S Adam Schefter reported Tuesday that “sources believe that (Ridley) currently prefers to return to Jacksonville.”
Ridley, 29, was selected in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft out of Alabama by the Falcons. He missed most of the 2021 season for mental health reasons and then was suspended for the entire 2022 season for betting on the NFL.
While suspended, Ridley was traded to the Jaguars and caught 76 passes for 1,016 yards with eight touchdowns in his return to football in 2023. He was a second-team All-pro in 2020 and has 324 career receptions for 4,358 yards with 36 touchdowns in five seasons.
Top free-agent wide receivers Gabe Davis (Jaguars) and Darnell Mooney (Falcons) are off the market. Marquise Brown and Curtis Samuel are the top remaining wide receivers after Ridley. Tee Higgins, who was franchised by the Bengals, also could be available in a trade.
The Chargers also need to trim over $26 million in salary cap space before Wednesday at 4 p.m. to be cap compliant.
The Patriots have checked in with the Chargers on obvious trade/cut candidates during this week’s open negotiating period, sources told the Herald.
Their most obvious trade/ cut candidates are wide receivers Mike Williams and Keenan Allen and edge defenders Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack.
The Patriots have needs at both wide receiver and edge defender.
Williams is due a $17 million salary and has a $3 million roster bonus due on the third day of the 2024 league year. Allen is due an $18.1 million salary and has a $5 million roster bonus due March 17. Mack is due a $17.55 million salary and has a $5.5 million roster bonus due on the third day of the 2024 league year. Bosa is due a $17 million salary and has a $7 million roster bonus due on the third day of the 2024 league year.
The Patriots have the salary cap space to acquire any of the four players if conversations progress to trade talks.
Meanwhile, the Patriots are re-signing OLB Josh Uche to a one-year contract, a source confirmed to the Boston Herald. It’s a one-year deal worth $3 million with a max value of $8 million, Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer reported.
NFL Media’s Mike Garafolo reported that “The 2020 second-round pick had much more on the table elsewhere but returns to Foxborough.”
Uche was motivated to return to the Patriots, a source said.
Jets: Signings start rolling in
After a mostly uneventful first day of the NFL legal tampering period, Jets general manager Joe Douglas made several late-night acquisitions Monday and into Tuesday.
Veteran guard John Simpson agreed to a two-year, $18 million deal, according to a source. Defensive tackles Javon Kinlaw and Leti Fotu also agreed to to deals. And Tyrod Taylor is set to become Aaron Rodgers’ backup at quarterback after two years with the Giants.
New York entered free agency needing three starters on its offensive line, and Simpson should help with that. Last season, Simpson started 19 games at left guard for the 13-4 Ravens. He allowed only one sack but committed 11 penalties.
The Jets needed a left guard after the team released Laken Tomlinson on Feb. 26. Simpson is a better run blocker than a pass protector. His footwork in passing situations often causes defenders to beat him during passing downs.
With Simpson agreeing to terms, the Jets will need to find two more starters in some variety. Alijah Veratucker has the flexibility to play either right tackle or right guard, but the Jets will also need to add a left tackle, either through free agency or the draft.